Make the World a Better Place
The Doctoral Alliance for Climate Adaptation
An East African and French innovation to strengthen and build the resilience and adaptation capacities of the areas most vulnerable to climate change
Who We Are
Eco-friendly actions, global satisfaction
The Doctoral Alliance for Climate Adaptation (ADAC) is a project aiming to create a regional space for research and innovation based on participatory and educational research geared towards solutions and local innovation, with priority given to the most vulnerable socio ecosystems: semi-nomadic agro-pastoral systems, mangroves and coastal areas, lakes and rivers, mountain agro-ecosystems and peri-urban areas.
It is a regional cooperation project funded to the tune of €1m by the Fonds Equipe France.
- Co-piloted by the Djibouti Ministry of Higher Education and Research (Dr Nabil Mohamed Ahmed) and the French Embassy in Djibouti (SE Dana Purcarescu)
- Operated by the Centre d’Etude et de Recherches de Djibouti (Dr Jalludin Mohamed) and the IRD in Kenya (Dr Paul Calatayud).
- Technically coordinated by Expertise France (David Williamson, ETI).
The project brings together a college of ESR partners from East Africa (Djibouti, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya and Somalia), and the relevant french embassies in the region, with a view to expanding to the whole of East Africa and beyond.
Be the Change East Africa Needs.
Your involvement can drive impactful climate adaptation and resilience in East Africa. Join the ADAC initiative to support innovative research, empower communities, and safeguard ecosystems for a sustainable future. Together, we can make a difference.
The Impact of Climate Change in East Africa
Climate change has profoundly affected East Africa, leading to a series of environmental disasters that have severely impacted the region’s communities.
In recent years, the region has experienced unprecedented and devastating flooding, displacing hundreds of thousands across countries such as Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, Ethiopia, and Tanzania. Torrential rains have unleashed catastrophic flooding and mudslides, severely damaging roads, bridges, and dams. More than 637,000 people have been affected by weeks of deluges, including 234,000 displaced in just five days (ungeneva.org).
How we work
At ADAC, we bring together research, innovation, and community engagement to tackle climate change challenges. Our approach focuses on collaboration, sustainable solutions, and empowering local ecosystems to thrive amidst environmental changes.
01. Research and Innovation
We conduct cutting-edge research to develop climate adaptation strategies tailored to East Africa’s unique needs.
02. Collaboration and Partnerships
We work closely with local communities, governments, and global partners to ensure effective and sustainable solutions.
03. Education and Empowerment
Through training and capacity-building programs, we equip individuals and institutions to lead climate adaptation efforts in their regions.
The mission of the Doctoral Alliance
The Doctoral Alliance for Climate Adaptation and Research (ADAC) aims to create a regional space for research and innovation based on participatory and educational research geared towards solutions and local innovation, with priority given to the most vulnerable socio-ecosystems: semi-nomadic agro-pastoral systems, mangroves and coastal areas, lakes and rivers, mountain agro-ecosystems and peri-urban areas. In line with this mission, a network of Priority Adaptation and Innovation Zones (ZAPIs), “in natura” laboratories dedicated to climate and environmental monitoring, was set up, the works of Master and PhD’s students have been funded, and an Open Science database as well as solidarity research schools are on the way.
Words From The ADAC Community
Meet the people driving climate adaptation in East Africa. From young researchers working in the field to leaders shaping national and international policy, the ADAC brings together diverse voices united by a common mission.
“The ADAC reflects the shared ambition of France and Djibouti to build meaningful science, rooted in local realities and focused on the future.”
Dana Purcarescu
"ADAC reflects our vision of research serving sustainable development—rooted in Djibouti, yet firmly connected to Africa and the wider world."
Dr Jalludin Mohamed
"What makes ADAC strong is its ability to connect academic research with real community needs, through a logic of co-construction and measurable impact."
Dr David Williamson
"The ADAC is an essential platform for strengthening regional collaboration in climate research, enabling us to find innovative solutions tailored to the unique challenges faced by East African communities."
Dr Christine Omuombo
"My PhD will study the hydrological aspects and assess the water resource potential of the Grand Bara watershed in Djibouti, using a runoff modeling approach with a particular focus on the implications for drinking water supply in the context of climate change."
Assia Mohamed Hassan
Join and support the ADAC initiative
One Earth, one chance – let’s do it right
Join the ADAC community and make a lasting impact to climate adaptation efforts in East Africa. Together, we can create sustainable solutions and build a resilient future.
Latest News & Events
The Doctoral Alliance for Climate Adaptation (ADAC) First Assembly – Dec 2024
ADAC’s First Assembly: Strengthening Research Collaboration for Climate Adaptation in
Call for contributions – ICAF 2026 International Forum for Climate Adaptation, 19-21 January 2026
The ICAF 2026 International Forum for Climate Adaptation is scheduled
The Impact of Climate Change in East Africa
Climate change has profoundly affected East Africa, leading to a
The Doctoral Alliance for Climate Adaptation (ADAC) First Assembly – Dec 2024
ADAC’s First Assembly: Strengthening Research Collaboration for Climate Adaptation in East Africa From December 2 to December 4, the Doctoral Alliance for Climate
Partners
This alliance is sponsored by Djibouti’s Ministry of Higher Education and Research (MENSUR) and the French Embassy in Djibouti, and led by the Center for studies and research of Djibouti (CERD). It brings together a college of ESR partners from East Africa (the IRD, the University of Djibouti, as well as universities and research centers in Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya and Somalia), with the perspective of expanding to the whole of East Africa and beyond :
The ADAC's Map Of Its Member Countries
“The ADAC embodies our commitment to making research a concrete lever for climate adaptation and scientific sovereignty in the region.”
Dr Nabil Mohamed Minister of Higher Education and Research of Djibouti